Pennsylvania Language Arts Curriculum
Pennsylvania sets its own language arts sequence, aligned to the Pennsylvania Core Standards and built for PSSA and Keystone Exams.
Browse by school level
Elementary School Language Arts
Foundational reading, writing, and language skills from Kindergarten through 5th grade, one course per grade.
Kindergarten ELA
Phonics, story comprehension, and foundational writing aligned to CCSS.
1st Grade ELA
Nouns and verbs, phonics, and writing sentences for Grade 1 ELA.
2nd Grade ELA
Phonics, grammar conventions, and opinion writing for 2nd grade ELA.
3rd Grade ELA
Grammar conventions, vocabulary strategies, and opinion writing aligned to CCSS.
4th Grade ELA
Grammar conventions, opinion writing, and figurative language aligned to CCSS.
5th Grade ELA
Literary analysis, language conventions, and writing arguments for PA Grade 5.
Middle School Language Arts
Literary analysis, argument writing, and language conventions bridging into the high school sequence.
6th Grade ELA
Literary analysis, conventions, and argument writing for Grade 6 ELA aligned to CCSS.
7th Grade ELA
Argument writing, language conventions, and speaking skills for Grade 7 ELA.
8th Grade ELA
Argument writing, grammar conventions, and figurative language for Grade 8 ELA.
High School Language Arts
Grade-level ELA plus American Literature, Creative Writing, Foundations of Journalism, and Technical and Professional Communication.
9th Grade ELA
Literary analysis, informational texts, and argument writing aligned to CCSS.
American Literature
American literary themes, textual analysis, and argumentative writing.
Foundations of Journalism
News writing, source evaluation, and multimedia presentation for PA high school journalism.
Technical and Professional Communication
Argumentative writing, informational texts, and speaking aligned to CCSS.
10th Grade ELA
Literary analysis, argument writing, and language conventions aligned to CCSS.
11th Grade ELA
Literary analysis, argumentative writing, and rhetorical reasoning for PA high school ELA.
Creative Writing
Narrative technique, figurative language, and creative writing craft for PA high school.
12th Grade ELA
Literary analysis, argumentative writing, and informational texts aligned to CCSS.
Aligned with the Pennsylvania Core Standards
Every lesson is organized around the Pennsylvania Core Standards and follows the pacing students see in their classrooms, so a student can find the exact skill covered that day and work through it with step-by-step explanations and practice problems.
- Mapped to the Pennsylvania Core Standards, grade by grade
- Built-in review for the PSSA and Keystone Exams
- Unlimited practice problems with worked solutions
Language Arts Curriculum by State
Select any state across the United States to see the Language Arts courses available there.
State Standards
CURRICULUM GUIDE
About the Pennsylvania Language Arts Curriculum
How Pennsylvania Core Standards Works
Pennsylvania's Core Standards define what students should know in reading, writing, speaking, and language at each grade level. The state adopted these standards to create a consistent sequence across all Pennsylvania school districts.
How Pennsylvania Differs
Pennsylvania pairs its Core Standards with the Keystone Literature Exam at the high school level, a graduation-linked assessment not used in most states. The state also offers electives like Foundations of Journalism and Technical and Professional Communication within its senior sequence.
How Pennsylvania Language Arts Progresses
Students begin with foundational reading and writing in Kindergarten, build argument and analysis skills through middle school, then move into grade-level ELA and specialized electives in high school, finishing with 12th Grade ELA as the capstone.
How Pennsylvania Assesses Language Arts
Pennsylvania administers the PSSA in 3rd through 8th grade and the Keystone Literature Exam in high school. Keystone results are tied to graduation requirements, making consistent practice across the high school sequence important for college readiness.
Common Questions from Pennsylvania Parents
We've got answers to some popular questions.
Which grades does StudyPug cover for Pennsylvania Language Arts?
StudyPug covers Kindergarten through 12th grade, plus high school electives including American Literature, Creative Writing, Foundations of Journalism, and Technical and Professional Communication.
How do I find the course that matches my child's class?
Browse by grade band - elementary, middle, or high school - and select the course name that matches your child's current class. Each course follows the Pennsylvania Core Standards sequence used in Pennsylvania schools.
Does StudyPug help with the PSSA and Keystone Literature Exam?
Yes. Practice problems and worked examples are built around the Pennsylvania Core Standards, so the content reflects what appears on the PSSA and Keystone Literature Exam, which are based on real exams given to Pennsylvania students.
Does the order of lessons match what my child's school teaches?
Lessons follow the Pennsylvania Core Standards sequence, which mirrors the pacing most Pennsylvania classrooms use. Students can also jump to a specific skill if they need help with one topic before moving on.
Can I use StudyPug for homeschooling?
Yes. Lessons are organized by grade and Pennsylvania Core Standards, so homeschooling families can work through each course at the student's own pace and move between skills as needed.
Reviewed by the StudyPug Curriculum Team
Last updated June 5, 2026
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